Ayia Napa, Cyprus. EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis said science and innovation can help build resilience and safeguard marine ecosystems, supporting a productive and sustainable ocean.
EU reliance on the sea and growing risks
Speaking at a conference titled ‘From marine science to policymaking and from ocean research and development to the market’, held under Cyprus’ presidency of the EU Council, Kadis said the EU is deeply reliant on the sea.
He said the EU has 70,000 kilometres of coastline and that around 40 per cent of citizens, about 180 million people, live within 50km of the sea.
Kadis warned that rising ocean temperatures, acidification, pollution, biodiversity loss and extreme weather are putting food security and prosperity at risk.
European Oceans Pact and upcoming strategy
Kadis referred to the European Oceans Pact, launched last year by the European Commission, which brings together ocean-related policies under a single framework covering ocean health, competitiveness, maritime security, ocean diplomacy and coastal communities.
He said research and innovation are at the core of the pact and that later this year the Commission will present a dedicated strategy on ocean research and innovation aimed at closing knowledge gaps, integrating science into policymaking and strengthening the blue economy.
OceanEye and the Digital Twin of the Ocean
Kadis pointed to the OceanEye initiative, announced in March by Ursula von der Leyen, describing it as Europe’s flagship ocean observation effort, with the Commission expected to formally adopt it on June 3.
He said the initiative’s core includes the Digital Twin of the Ocean, part of the EU mission to restore oceans and waters, combining real-time data, artificial intelligence and advanced modelling to simulate ocean conditions.
Kadis said that by 2030 the tool is expected to support faster, evidence-based decision-making by allowing policymakers to predict how oceans respond to climate pressures and test policies before implementation.
Call for broad collaboration
Kadis said the challenges facing the ocean are too vast for any single group to tackle alone, underscoring the need for broad collaboration.
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